As a baby boy name, Cornelius is currently a popular baby name, with a recent overall USA popularity ranking of 855 out of 1000 (source: 2000s U.S. Census).

In 2009, the name Cornelius fell in popularity and moved down the USA Top 1000 charts in Year 2009, by 13 places. For the Year 2009, it ranked 1000 in the Top 1000 charts. (A ranking of 1000 means that this name ranked 1000 or poorer in the 2008/2009 popularity surveys)

The following chart shows the popularity of the name Cornelius in the USA, over the past 100 years.

The names of some famous persons by the name Cornelius (or its variants) are:

Cornell Woolrich, born on 4 December , a famous author. Cornell Woolrich's background: Born in 1903. The US crime writer who wrote, It had To Be Murder, which he wrote under the pseudonym William Irish, was retitled Rear Window and made into a film by Alfred Hitchhock in 1954. Another story, The Bride Wore Black (1940), was made into a film by French director Francois Truffaut in 1968.

Cornelius Bennett, born on 25 August , a famous athlete. Cornelius Bennett's background: A former American football linebacker who played for the Buffalo Bills from 1987 to 1995, Atlanta Falcons from 1996 to 1998, and the Indianapolis Colts from 1999 to 2000. Bennett was a five time Pro Bowler, being elected in 1988, and 1990–1993, and won the AFC Defensive Player of the Year award twice, in 1988 and in 1991.

Cornelius Vanderbilt, born on 27 May, a famous public figure. Cornelius Vanderbilt's background: An American entrepreneur who built his wealth in shipping and railroads and was the patriarch of the Vanderbilt family.